The Journey continues

My life is still a journey, and one never knows the destination....

Bangalore - April 3rd 2009 - A long time back I was reading a Jiddu Krishnamurti book. It spoke about how one needs to make decisions, because indecisiveness was a act of fear. I didn't necessarily agree with him, because sometimes we delay decisions because we think that by waiting, something more positive could happen.

For over a month now, I have been a exact product of Krishnamurti's "fear" theory. I have had this urge in me, ever since my Granddad died, to be in India, and note down the whole NRI (Non Resident Indian or Not Required Indian if you ask some people!) experience.  But instead I chose and made a decision to work. I love what I do, and not many people would be a Features Editor of a company at 24, but I guess some get lucky. But over the months it became apparent that one of the main reasons why I followed my heart in the first place (when deciding to come to India) was to chronicle a diary/book on "Us", the elusive, strange, all conquering NRI.

And that my fellow readers, is why I write this post today. I made a new decision. For those of you that know me, I follow my heart in everything I do, and my heart says "Go Ravin, go write this book". And so I will. I'm making a decision to go and write "that" book. The theme, the outlook, everything associated with it, I cannot answer those questions today; maybe I will never answer that question. All I know is that I am going to write this book.

I recently wrote a article for a travel magazine in India themed "Live for Today, not Tomorrow", and for me, this exact philosophy is the one that I aim to follow. All too often too many of us worry, we worry about money, recession, jobs, mortgages etc. Its easy for me to sit here and say all these things when half of you reading this maybe struggling, but I want to remind you that tomorrow may never come, and wouldn't you rather spend your life living for today then tomorrow? I can't preach, I know that, I have no right to, but since my Grandfathers death last year, I realised that we dream too much but never go out and live those dreams. We tell ourselves that we have all these constraints to think about, but it is only us that puts ourselves in these positions of constraints. And just when you thought you had it all planned out, life changes. I guess life is what happens when your busy making plans.

I read my article again. My own words hit me - and last week somebody very close to me asked to read the article. She said that her favourite line was:

"as humans we are so obsessed with planning our lives we forget to live them"

And with those words, my words, I have decided to inspire myself and go forward. I'm not planning anything, I'm not expecting anything. I'm just on a journey, and the beauty of it all is this - I still don't know my destination - and that is what excites me. I'm taking a brave leap into the unknown, out of my comfort zones.

Below is a couple of emails i received from friends and family about my new adventure, that I thought I could share with you.

I end this blog with a quote i found, by Lillian Dickson:

Life is like a coin.  You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once.  

Ravin

Cool!! My little brother is unemployed ;o)

Excited about travelling??> What are your plans - where's first stop? 
You think you're Paolo Cohello now dont you?!?!

 - Shreena Sampat (my sister - my idol)

Dear Ravin,

I am proud of you & the confidence you have.  Mostly knowing what you want is a quality. I admire this in you. It may not fit into what my generation was brought up on as keeping a job was the main thing. I admire your ability to do your best, reach at the top & than move on to other challenges. You are not afraid of on going change as you adopt well, bravo. I know you will do well in what ever you do. Keep out of troubles as it seems to slow down progress one would like to make.

Don’t forget, you have a home here where I am too, should you wish to take a break in a tranquil place, come over with your computer. I promise you that you will have lots of inspirational ideas that will compliment your writings.  Look after your self. Anil.
 - Anil Sampat (my amazing uncle who lives life in luxury and pleasures, in Portugal)

Rav...how's it going honey? everything ok? been reading your blogs...they are fab! Any plans to visit this year? Writing a book sounds really exciting...im just imagining you in a tweed coat and a tattered journal! It's great! No really..im glad you're doing something you love, i bet it'll be a great personal experience. Wish you all the best on your new journey xxx
 - Shaina Gandesha (a awesome friend with a heart bigger than the earth)

YOU'RE FKIN AWSOME!!!!!!!!!!

I think its just amazing what you have decided. Good luck you s*xy b*stard!!!

 

Be good, see you soon xxx

 - Nicky Mehta (a crazy yet wondeful family friend with a joy for life like no other)

So your leaving Confetti.. lots of tears im sure. So where u going next? This is so exciting. Were so similar in pursueing our dreams :) its great.. i love it!!

 

Alright well keep well and big hug...

 - Jaya Vyas (one of the most spiritual people i have met)

Hey you,
 
aaahh thats ashame your leaving!...i feel sad thinking about it, dont know why as i dont work with you or see you! 
 
Good luck with the book, make sure you send me a copy when it gets published im sure it will be very interesting as your blogs are entertaining ( well the ones i get to read any way)
 
BTW a letter from you in well over due! :(
 
Hope all is well otherwise
 - Neeru Verma (a crazy girl from the Midlands making her life crazier in London)

Hey, 

Good luck with your travels and the book...I hope they are both very successful and if not, that at least you get a lot from the experience. 

 - Rachel Cooper (an intelligent person who worries far too much but still loves life)

Easy dude,

I know this email will be one of many you will be receiving from your friends/family but I just wanted to say the following..

Congratulations on following your heart and not your head – like 99% of us western products tend to.. Work wise.. and life wise! It’s quite inspirational.. There aren’t too many people that can forget western and family influence to successfully follow what they really want to do, but you can – so well done mate.. I’m proud of you son!

Secondly, good luck with the book – will look forward to reading it..

Lastly – travelling India will be awesome, I’m excited for you. I fell in LOVE with Rajasthan (Udaipur particularly!!!), I think it’s my favourite part of India so far. It’s amazing.. So much character, such nice people and such beautiful landscape!!!! As soon as I got back, I watched Octopussy – and it was amazing, because I’d gone to all the places in the film.. It was awesome!!

Oh.. and ironically, we bumped into Kabir Bedi at a restaurant in Bombay a few days after Udaipur!

Hope you’re well mate.

 - Dhaval Patel (a man always with a plan)

and you are a F*CKING INSPIRATION!!

proud of you honey!

SUPER PROUD!!

I get into Bangalore on the night of the 15th of April - we get a drink on the 16th! I am so proud of you - you are in inspiration and you have the balls of a man!!

I wish I am one day as brave as you...

Lots of love 

Lots of support

Lots of respect

In appreciation of great human being such as you!

- Nayantara Pani (somebody who believes in the spirit of the world like me)

Hey Ravin

Just wanted to say good luck with your new expedition and book - it all sounds very exciting and also it's inspiring me to follow my ideals too - life's too short to be stuck in something you don't want to do - you should definitely go with your what your instincts say and what you want to do - life's all about experiences and emotion - not about making money or following the expected path set out by society so best of luck with everything and keep us updated on your progress! I'd be interested in reading your extracts from this book of yours. 
 
 - Lakhmi Bhambra (somebody who knows how to enjoy life and never look back)

 n.b. some notes have been edited because of either bad language or personal messages.